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Canada got the last hurrah at the Celebration of Light Saturday evening, closing the three-night event with a winning display. Canada was declared the winner of the event, with Brazil and China finishing second and third, respectively.

B.C. festival quest: Choose your own adventure (with quiz)

With B.C. music fests going big, it’s the summer of tough choices

Deadmau5 headlines the Saturday concert at Pemberton Music Festival July 16-20.
Here are five facts you need to know about Deadmau5.

Gather around, music warriors. You have been called to join a grand quest to conquer this year’s summer music festivals in B.C., some more perilous than others. With many of them overlapping this year, 2014 will definitely be the summer of tough choices. Some of you have made your decision(s) and have already begun your quest(s). We salute you. For those of you who are just now picking up a torch, tickets, packing your bags and venturing forth, here are six major events to explore — and a few side quests beyond the big adventure. Good luck.

TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival

Dates: Until July 1

Founded: 1986

Edition: 29th

Difficulty level: High

Abilities required: Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom

Tickets and info: vanjazzfest.ca

Quest details: With 300 performances spread out during 10 days, this is a festival for adventurers with plenty of stamina. Your intellect and wisdom will also be put to the test as your are asked to make many choices, including picking between headliners such as Bobby McFerrin, Jill Barber and Maceo Parker, as well as hometown talent and underground and cutting edge artists from around the globe. Venue-hopping is a must (and a festival pass is a bonus), but with close to 150 of those performances being free, you can successfully complete this adventure without having to shell out too much coin. Don’t miss the opening weekend downtown and the closing bash at David Lam Park for extra points.

Possible side quest: Surrey Fusion Festival

Pemberton Music Festival

Dates: July 18-20

Founded: 2008

Edition: 2nd

Difficulty level: Unknown

Abilities required: Stamina, Constitution

Tickets and info: pembertonmusicfestival.com

Quest details: The wild card quest. 30,000+ music fans are expected to roll up to Pemberton this summer, much like they did in the festival’s “first” edition in 2008 when it was organized by promoter Live Nation. New promoters HUKA Entertainment have gone all out for the festival’s resurrection, which features more than 100 performances including Outkast, Soundgarden, Deadmau5, Blondie, The New Pornographers and more. Questions remain regarding the festival’s logistics, such as traffic and sanitary infrastructure, which were a big problem in 2008. The lineup being announced two weeks after its promised due date certainly didn’t make for a reassuring prospect. Still, as far as big bills go, this is the biggest.

Possible side quests: Keloha, Rock The Shores, Boonstock

Vancouver Folk Music Festival

Dates: July 18-20

Founded: 1978

Edition: 37th

Difficulty level: Moderate

Abilities required: Constitution, Wisdom, Dexterity

Tickets and info: thefestival.bc.ca

Quest details: A familiar quest for seasoned music fans and still a favourite after all these years. Trek on down to beautiful Jericho Beach Park for three days of folk music, this year featuring performances by legendary singer-songwriter Joan Baez, Ozomatli, Amos Lee, Great Lake Swimmers, and Alejandro Escovedo. Wisdom and dexterity are an asset as you secure a spot near the main stage and manoeuvre through the many workshops laid out on multiple stages on the site. The carrying of chairs, tarps and coolers, as well as the handling of hula hoops and hacky sacks on a packed site will test your constitution in several ways. But you already knew that.

Quest details: The Squamish Valley Music Festival quest includes a few question marks. Now in its fifth year, the modest festival has grown to become part of Live Nation’s roster of big summer festivals. With performances by Bruno Mars, Eminem and Arcade Fire topping the bill, Squamish is hoping to attract close to 35,000 people in 2014. Much like Pemberton, with whom it is directly competing, Squamish hopes for big things and raises the same logistical questions regarding traffic and infrastructure on the Sea to Sky Highway. Its advantage: Four years of steady growth that have allowed for measured progress. Camping skills a must. And yes, this edition is costlier than previous ones.

Possible side quests: Khatsahlano Block Party, Keloha, Rifflandia

Shambhala

Dates: August 8-10

Founded: 1998

Edition: 17th

Difficulty level: High

Abilities required: Constitution, Stamina, Charisma

Tickets and info: shambhalamusicfestival.com

Quest details: Venture away from the bright lights of the city to a mysterious swath of farm land in Salmo, B.C., where you will enter a magical realm of sound and vision. An estimated 10,000 people make the journey each year, with 2,000 volunteers helping run the electronic music festival. This year, performances include mash-up master Z-Trip, Bassnectar, Moby, Kelowna dubstep favourite Excision, and award-winning Aboriginal dance trio A Tribe Called Red. With travelling, camping and a fair amount of dancing involved, this quest will definitely test your stamina and constitution. Heal often and don’t hesitate to use your charisma to rely on the kindness of strangers if you feel a bit “lost.”

Possible side quest: Bass Coast

Burnaby Blues & Roots Festival

Dates: August 9

Founded: 2000

Edition: 15th

Difficulty level: Low

Abilities required: Charisma, Wisdom

Tickets and info: burnabybluesfestival.com

Quest details: A more laid back quest that will take you to Burnaby’s Deer Lake Park for a full afternoon and evening of bluesy tunes and rootsy rhythm. This particular adventure will feature music by Big Sugar, Matt Andersen and the Mellotones, Bettye LaVette, Vancouver stomp duo The Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer, Wide Mouth Mason and more performing on two stages. Closer to a long concert than a full-blown festival, the Burnaby Blues & Roots Festival is easier on the body than other events, so make the most of it socially and mingle with other music fans in a casual setting, raking in experience points using your wisdom and charisma skills.

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